UChicago vs Duke

[HelloGrad0104]

Hello!

So I am trying to decide between these two programs. The funding is pretty similar (a bit higher for Chicago). I am planning on applying to a PhD in Econ (or related field) after the MPP so I want a school that would help me achieve those goals. I was wondering if you guys could give me your opinion/insight. I also got accepted into Georgetown ($), UMich (no funding), and UCSD (no funding, but I would get in-state tuition since I am from CA) if you guys have any opinions on that as well. Any advice/comment is appreciated, thank you!!!!

[GradSchoolGrad]

4 minutes ago, HelloGrad0104 said:

Hello!

So I am trying to decide between these two programs. The funding is pretty similar (a bit higher for Chicago). I am planning on applying to a PhD in Econ (or related field) after the MPP so I want a school that would help me achieve those goals. I was wondering if you guys could give me your opinion/insight. I also got accepted into Georgetown ($), UMich (no funding), and UCSD (no funding, but I would get in-state tuition since I am from CA) if you guys have any opinions on that as well. Any advice/comment is appreciated, thank you!!!!

The only reason that makes sense for you to go to Duke is if you really really love State & Local Government and or Domestic Non-Profits and that is what you see yourself working in/doing research for graduation. Otherwise, for general career opportunities and PhD potential, Harris makes sense.

That being said, only about 1 to 5% of MPP graduates (depending on school) end up pursuing a PhD (that I have seen among schools). Most of people I know who entered MPP saying they want to do PhD get burned from academia and don't do it. Please also keep in mind, if you want to go to a Tier 1 school for your PhD, your GPA better be no less than an A- at MPP. 

I have yet to see a Georgetown MPP grad (who didn't previously already have another Master's degree from somewhere else) pursue a PhD at a tier 1 school. 

[alfredo54]

On 3/24/2022 at 1:00 PM, GradSchoolGrad said:

The only reason that makes sense for you to go to Duke is if you really really love State & Local Government and or Domestic Non-Profits and that is what you see yourself working in/doing research for graduation. Otherwise, for general career opportunities and PhD potential, Harris makes sense.

That being said, only about 1 to 5% of MPP graduates (depending on school) end up pursuing a PhD (that I have seen among schools). Most of people I know who entered MPP saying they want to do PhD get burned from academia and don't do it. Please also keep in mind, if you want to go to a Tier 1 school for your PhD, your GPA better be no less than an A- at MPP. 

I have yet to see a Georgetown MPP grad (who didn't previously already have another Master's degree from somewhere else) pursue a PhD at a tier 1 school. 

I'm also considering Duke and UChicago. My main focus is on international development, with a desire to focus on root causes of migration to the United States in Central America and the Caribbean. In other words, supporting efforts that address corruption and poor governance. I was waitlisted at Georgetown also. Thoughts? Duke would be substantially cheaper. I also prefer the smaller cohort size, and the program seems to have a pipeline to policy work in D.C. Lastly, this would be a career pivot for me. 

[GradSchoolGrad]

Just now, alfredo54 said:

I'm also considering Duke and UChicago. My main focus is on international development, with a desire to focus on root causes of migration to the United States in Central America and the Caribbean. In other words, supporting efforts that address corruption and poor governance. I was waitlisted at Georgetown also. Thoughts? Duke would be substantially cheaper. I also prefer the smaller cohort size, and the program seems to have a pipeline to policy work in D.C. Lastly, this would be a career pivot for me. 

I think this comes down to what risk you want to take. Duke does have DC pipelines + a strong student experience, but it is a very much a domestic policy focused school. U. Chicago is stronger on on IDEV and IR related topics (probably 3rd on IR related topics after Princeton). However, I am not as familiar on U. Chicago Harris as to IDEV beyond that.

In my opinion, you applied to the wrong schools if migration root causes is your true passion that you want to commit to. That is more an IR school issue whereby applying to Fletcher, Georgetown MSFS, JHU SAIS would have been more appropriate. 

[alfredo54]

Gotcha, thanks. I did apply to MSFS, that's the program I was waitlisted for.